Eagle Books flying into schools

Sets of the highly-acclaimed “Eagle Books” will be making their way into 73 schools in the region this fall, thanks to the Northwestern Health Unit.
Told from an aboriginal perspective, the Eagle Books were created to teach healthy living, proper nutrition and staying active.

“The important thing about the books is that they bring together the mandate of public health and education. It helps us meet both of the goals ... literacy issues and also provide health related information,” said Saralyn Semeniuk, who, as health promoter for the Northwestern Health Unit, helped to bring in the books as part of commemorating the NWHU’s 60th anniversary.
In public health, she said, there is a strong link between health and literacy, and those with lower literacy skills tend to be less healthier, have lower incomes, less community involvement, and face more challenges in learning.
“So in recognizing the important link between health and literacy we wanted to do something to support schools and increase literacy skills as well as knowledge around health related issues,” she said. “So we thought that the Eagle Books helped to tie those things in and provide a useful resource in the classroom that also highlighted aboriginal philosophies and cultural aspects, which is very appropriate for our region given the demographic of aboriginal people.”
The Eagle Books were originally developed to target children from Grade 1 to 4 to promote the prevention of diabetes and chronic disease, especially in First Nation communities.
The books originate from south of the border, developed by the Centres for Disease Control and First Nation health organizations. Authored by Georgia Perez of Nambe Pueblo, and illustrated by Patrick Rolo, Bad River Band of Ojibwe, and Lisa A. Fifield, Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, Black Bear Clan, the set includes four books: Through the Eyes of the Eagle, Knees Lifted High, Plate Full of Color and Tricky Treats. In each book, children are taught about staying healthy through physical activity and eating right. Also included is a guide for educators and adults to help expand upon the book with other activities and lessons.
The books are even going to the Smithsonian as part of the institute’s first ever display on health promotion, something Northwest Catholic School Board Superintendent of Education, Al Cesiunas, said is a sign of how good of a resource they are.
When the NWHU consulted with the local school boards, the NCDSB was so impressed with the books that they ordered in 68 sets of them for the classroom, on top of the donated ones.
“We are certainly aware that diabetes is chronic disease among First Nation people,” said Cesiunas. and bringing in the books fit well with the board’s strategic plan for physical health and well being. While the books may come from a First Nations perspective, they are also cross-cultural, said Cesiunas.
“The idea behind the book itself is that children will be able to learn and be able to teach their parents and elders about healthy lifestyles,” he said.
“It’s been shown through the evaluation of the books that the information in the books is brought home to their families,” said Semeniuk.
“So that’s important in ensuring that these skills learned through the books are taken on by families as well, which will help to ensure the sustainability of these behaviours and have a long lasting impact on communities.”
Almost two million of the Eagle Books have been distributed to First Nation communities, libraries and other organizations across the United States.
Future plans for the books include trying to target older age groups for education, including other health risk factors such as depression and tobacco in the program, and even bring the original stories to life through animation.